At Gaudin Law Group, we deeply care about the well-being of everyone touched by adoption—birth parents, adoptive families, and especially adoptees. One topic often discussed is the concept of the "primal wound," a term coined by author Nancy Verrier. It refers to the emotional and psychological impact experienced by adoptees as a result of being [...]
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Ask for References: The best way to find a good attorney is by asking for a reference from someone you know. Friends and family can provide referrals to attorneys with whom they’ve had positive experiences. Other attorneys, who may not practice in the specific area you need help with, are also great sources for recommendations. [...]
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Occasionally (25-45% unscientifically), expectant mothers who first favored adoption decide to parent. Her legitimate choice can emotionally crush prospective adoptive parents (= PAP), more or less, depending on its timing. One of our PAP recently experienced this pain. After getting home from the hospital where she gave birth to a baby girl, a mother who [...]
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Who can request that the name of a person younger than eighteen (a minor child) be changed?Both parents of a minor child may agree and request to change their child’s name. Or, if a court has awarded one of the parents sole custody, that parent may ask for permission to change his child’s name. If [...]
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Our state’s and country’s law stiffly protects the right of a parent (a biological or adoptive mother or father) to custody (the authority to make most decisions and accept responsibility, for a minor) of his or her child. It’s likely the most secure right you enjoy as a US citizen. But this right can be [...]
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Looking to adopt in Louisiana? Our interview with Todd Gaudin, an adoption attorney in Louisiana, will provide valuable insights into the state's adoption laws, from the legal requirements to the adoption process, what types of adoption are allowed in Louisiana, and how adoption can be handled differently under the law. We cover everything you need [...]
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This eighty-eight-year-old, "Clark," "E. Clark," "Mr. G," "Dad," "Pops" departed this life on Thursday, March 19, 2020. He was an attorney for over sixty years, graduating from the LSU Law School in 1958. His jobs included father, attorney, and state representative from former District 69. He was born in New Roads, La. to Vida Swindler [...]
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Written by Laci Richter Adoptive Mom & Author of Refuel Your Wait When my husband and I started the process of adoption, I thought that we were finally in control of building our family. After years of trying to conceive and unsuccessful medical treatments, we were now going to have control over the outcome. When [...]
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The #FreeBritney movement is producing one of the top trending hash tags based on Britney Spears' controversial Conservatorship case. In 2008, a California Court decided Britney was not right and suspended her ability to make her own decisions about her affairs. It gave authority to another adult, her dad, to control her affairs. Britney, an [...]
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As a birth mom, I hate adoption advertising. As an adoption professional , I hate adoption advertising. I hate the idea of “targeted marketing” and paid Google ads. The very thought of sitting down and trying to figure out the demographic group I should push a Facebook or Instagram Ad to irks me to my [...]
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By now, many of you may have learned that a successful placement and adoption of a minor, with the exception of step-parent adoptions, makes you eligible for a 14,000 federal (and in some states, some level of state) income adoption tax credit (in addition to any gross income deductions allowed). A credit reduces the amount [...]
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The holidays are right around the corner and with that means holiday gift giving. Adoptive parents, you are not obligated to get your child’s birth parents a Christmas gift. BUT (yes, there is a but.) Why wouldn't you at least sign your name to a simple card, just to let them know they're thought [...]
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